Local businesses awarded for hiring vets

Andy Ennett of MCCS; Emms Ames of J.W. Mills; Amber Guenther of Environmental Management; Master Sgt. Gregg Crocker and Lori Ready-Digiovanni of Sodexo were recognized during the Annual Employer's Luncheon for Veterans at the Disabled American Veteran Center Friday afternoon.

John Sudbrink / The Daily News

By THOMAS BRENNAN Daily News Staff

Published: Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 09:33 AM.

Companies from across Onslow County were recognized at the Jacksonville Disabled American Veterans headquarters this week for their willingness to hire veterans.

The event, which was sponsored by the N.C. National Guard and the N.C. Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions, recognized 28 companies during a luncheon. Some of the companies include Freedom Furniture, Merchant Tire, Sodexo and Marine Corps Community Services Camp Lejeune.

“Getting hired meant the world,” said Marine veteran Paul Warner, 34, of Jacksonville, who works at Merchant’s Tire. “I came into the office and thought it was going to be a waste of my time because I had no experience with cars. One thing they said to me was that we can train you because you’ve got things that we couldn’t fix, such as punctuality and dedication to the mission.”

When Warner applied to Merchant’s Tire in Jacksonville more than a month ago, he thought it was a long shot. Lacking formal training as a mechanic and few translatable skills from the Marine Corps, he refused to get his hopes up, he said.

“It’s been really nice working here, learning a new skill that I didn’t have before,” said Warner, who was an instructor at the School of Infantry aboard Camp Lejeune before he retired. “This job has given me a whole new dynamic to my background.”

Companies from across Onslow County were recognized at the Jacksonville Disabled American Veterans headquarters this week for their willingness to hire veterans.

The event, which was sponsored by the N.C. National Guard and the N.C. Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions, recognized 28 companies during a luncheon. Some of the companies include Freedom Furniture, Merchant Tire, Sodexo and Marine Corps Community Services Camp Lejeune.

“Getting hired meant the world,” said Marine veteran Paul Warner, 34, of Jacksonville, who works at Merchant’s Tire. “I came into the office and thought it was going to be a waste of my time because I had no experience with cars. One thing they said to me was that we can train you because you’ve got things that we couldn’t fix, such as punctuality and dedication to the mission.”

When Warner applied to Merchant’s Tire in Jacksonville more than a month ago, he thought it was a long shot. Lacking formal training as a mechanic and few translatable skills from the Marine Corps, he refused to get his hopes up, he said.

“It’s been really nice working here, learning a new skill that I didn’t have before,” said Warner, who was an instructor at the School of Infantry aboard Camp Lejeune before he retired. “This job has given me a whole new dynamic to my background.”

Warner said the job search was extremely stressful.

He thought people would appreciate the work ethic and experience in stressful situations that are drilled into Marines but employers didn’t bite at first, he said.

“Having a job here in Jacksonville where I live means the world to me,” Warner said. “It’s amazing that these guys appreciate my service and my skills and were willing to go out on a limb to see if I could do the job.”

Stories like Warner’s inspired the workforce solutions division’s to recognize employers for hiring veterans, said Gerardo Cruz, the supervisor of veterans employment services. According to Cruz, it’s important to thank employers for taking care of veterans and their families.

“The veterans at one point served to defend and support their community,” said Cruz, 55, of Jacksonville. “It’s always nice to see the community support someone who supported them.”

Most veterans like to work, said Cruz, and they are extremely dedicated. They’ll show up on time and bring a lot of pride with them.

“We live in a free world and without the military, we wouldn’t be a free world,” Cruz said. “I’d like to see more people hiring veterans because we need these guys and gals to go back to being happy and successful doing a job they are comfortable with and happy doing.”

At Freedom Furniture, veterans account for 25 percent of the staff, said Kevin Jenkins, operations manager.

“We believe the veterans should be given some preference when hiring,” said Jenkins, a retired Marine veteran who is in charge of hiring at Freedom. “They are always punctual, polite and driven. They’ve truly made our company be more profitable.”

Jenkins said that veterans bring more attention to detail and have positive attitudes and a lack of excuses.

“Whenever I get to hire someone who has been in the military it makes me feel really good,” Jenkins said. “I know what it’s like trying to find work when you get out of the military. ...I realize they’ve done a lot in the military and I like giving someone a fresh start to what they are going to accomplish in the future.”